Nearly 1,000 people have fled their homes due to the heavy rain. Videos of flooded roads, collapsing houses and landslides can be seen on social media.
According to the mayor’s office, 236 millimeters of rain fell in some places in the state capital of Recife between Friday evening and Saturday morning. It is feared that the situation will worsen as it continues to rain for the next 24 hours, according to weather services. Code red will be in effect in the state through Sunday.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took to Twitter to express his “sadness and solidarity with the victims of this sad disaster” and said his government will do everything possible “to alleviate the suffering”. According to the president, the army is deployed “to assist with emergency relief operations and provide the necessary aid to affected families”.